...speaking of Neil Gaiman

 

Writer’s writer Neil Gaiman is among the most versatile and prolific in today’s world of social media, constant and “fake news” along with and among other such antics. Some would argue that books and the print medium are dying (if not already dead) but; Mr. Gaiman continues in the best tradition of  author, scribe, story-teller and historian in the most ancient,  beautiful and personal of forms; books. He is most recognized as creator of fantasy but his readership crosses over into main stream literature in almost every possible format. Gaiman creates original titles for novels, picture books and adolescent books along with screen plays, graphic novels and essays. If I’ve left anything out Neil; I apologize. His seminal piece; Sandman, initially written for DC Comics’ Vertigo line of adult fiction cemented his work as epic in form. Sandman consists in multiple books spanning possibly three generations of readers. 

Gaiman’s most recent publication is his retelling of the ancient tales of the Vikings. His “Norse Mythology” featuring Thor-the Mighty, Oden-The All Wise All Father, Loki-The  Shrewd, Heimdall-The Watcher,  Sif-The Lovely and a host of frost giants, dark elves and monsters. Gaiman is at his best and most comfortable with his telling’s of these most ancient of religious legends. Herein he is funny, engaging and full of remarkably unexpected twists. 

There is no one that could possibly speak more eloquently for Neil Gaiman than himself. Following are many of his quotes, insights and comments on his chosen art form. The remaining graphics (largely produced by his foremost collaborator artist Dave McKean) consist of images from his book covers, illustrations, film stills and most importantly the master story man’s own words.

Jack Spencer Looks at America

The abandoned, the isolated, the darkness and the distant…shadow, more shadows and light. These are the elements of Jack Spencer’s photography. His eye is drawn to these things. There is also color and the quietest of beauty in his work. Jack Spencer; in the midst of his somber tonality is able to excite as much as he engages his viewers with something of a manly charm. Think of Hemingway when you look at Jack’s wordless stories.  

I very recently was made aware of the work of Fine Art Photographer Jack Spencer through no-less of an informed and credible source PBS’s Charlie Rose Show (Charlie by the way is on leave as he is recovering from surgery.) Guest host John Meacham wrote the foreword for Spencer’s newly released   book “This Land: An American Portrait” and did the honors of the Spencer interview. The book highlights Spencer’s recent travels across and around the United States and is in itself a remarkable statement. 

The images there in highlight the American landscape in a decidedly unique vision of our dystopic and often wrongly interpreted times. Spencer is able to capture; in his sometimes painterly style, what could well be the zeitgeist of our contemporary American epoch. Through the use of still photography that cuts to the essence of the thing like no other medium; Spencer rewards his audience.

The self-taught Spencer is respected, lauded and collected in a highly fashionable way. This is deserving and to his credit as a creator. I am including an abundance of images with this writing. The images are in Spencer’s own distinctly eloquent voice.